Very early ESPN analytics prediction gives Washington Huskies underdog status vs Iowa

Iowa players celebrate defeating Illinois State Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa players celebrate defeating Illinois State Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. / Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
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We’ve got a long ways to go between now and when the Washington Huskies and Iowa Hawkeyes meet up, but right now things don’t exactly look great for the Huskies’ chances of winning against the Hawkeyes in Iowa City, according to ESPN Analytics Matchup Predictor. 

Right now, the Washington Huskies are trying to get set for their season opener. Jedd Fisch and the Huskies have yet to play a single down of football in the 2024 Washington Husky football season. But, we still have the opportunity to look ahead a bit with the magic of the ESPN Analytics Matchup Predictor.

But it’s frustrating magic right now because it absolutely is not giving Washington much of a chance against the Hawkeyes.

Prior to week 1, Washington Huskies an underdog for midseason game against Iowa Hawkeyes

Right now, before Fisch and the Huskies get their season started against Weber State, the Huskies are currently being given just a 41.7 percent chance of finding a way to beat the very flawed Iowa Hawkeyes down the stretch of this season.

Now, it’s worth noting a few things. One, this is early. Two, there are a lot of questions that should be asked about what the Huskies will be like this season given all of the roster and coaching staff changes we’ve seen in Seattle over the past few months. 

Oh, and three, the Huskies have a shot to change that percentage if they can get some wins and Iowa struggles at various different points this year. It’s a dynamic thing. It can change a bit. 

That doesn’t necessarily make it less frustrating to see Iowa on top of Washington in these early matchup predictions here, but it’s far from being the end of the world and we’ll certainly see how things play out later on this season.